NEW SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS ADOPTED FOR KENAI RIVER AND NORTHERN KENAI PENINSULA AREA IN 2014

The Alaska Board of Fisheries approved changes in to sport fishing regulations for the Kenai River and Northern Peninsula area in 2014. Changes affecting various freshwater fisheries are summarized below as a service to anglers, and not as a complete digest of all fishing regulations.

All Kenai Peninsula Freshwaters: • Bench Creek drainage, including Bench Lake, is closed to fishing from May 2 – June 10.

Kenai River Drainage: • Early-run king salmon slot limit is expanded. Only king salmon less than 42” or 55” or longer may be retained from Jan. 1 through June 30 downstream of Skilak Lake, and from Jan. 1 through July 14 downstream of Skilak Lake to the lower boundary of the Slikok Creek king salmon sanctuary. Bait is prohibited in these waters during the time the slot limit is in effect. • Slikok Creek king salmon sanctuary is expanded to 300 yards upstream of the mouth of Slikok Creek. • Moose River, from its mouth upstream to the upstream edge of the Sterling Highway Bridge, is closed year-round to fishing for king salmon. • Moose River seasonal boat fishing closure is expanded to those waters of the Kenai River 100 yards upstream and 100 yards downstream of the mouth of the Moose River. • Waters closed to all fishing downstream of Skilak Lake from May 2 thorugh June 10 were expanded downstream to ADF&G markers located approximately one mile upstream of Lower Killey River. • Rainbow fishing is open the entire year in the Kenai River downstream from ADF&G markers located approximately one mile upstream of Lower Killey River. • In the Crescent Creek drainage, including Crescent Lake, the fishing closure has been reduced to May 2 – June 10. • Possession limit for sockeye salmon in the Kenai drainage is increased to six fish. • From July l – August 15, additional Kenai River shoreline will be closed to fishing on the northbank from the mouth of Soldotna Creek at river mile 22 upstream to approximately river mile 22.1. • Sport fishing is prohibited in the Centennial Campground boat launch lagoon from July 1 – August 30. • Coho fishing from a guided vessel is allowed on Labor Day. • Season is extended to June 15 for the smelt (hooligan) personal use gillnet fishery from the mouth upstream to markers located at Cunningham Park.